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WestJet announces service to the United Kingdom

CALGARY, Oct. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced Glasgow, United Kingdom, as its newest European destination. Daily non-stop flights from Halifax begin May 29, 2015, with direct (same-aircraft) service from Toronto, operated on one of the airline's Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 series aircraft.

Highlights of the new service include:

• New daily non-stop seasonal flights between Halifax and Glasgow from May 29, 2015 to Oct. 23, 2015.
• New daily direct (same-aircraft) seasonal flights between Toronto and Glasgow.
• Daily connections between Glasgow via Halifax or Toronto to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and 16 other cities in WestJet's Canadian network.

"This year's launch of service to Dublin has proved popular with existing transatlantic flyers and with new guests alike, thanks to market growth driven by drastically reduced fares," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "Fares to Glasgow will be as much as fifty per cent off existing prices, so we'll once again grow the market. Increased European operational and marketing experience is important as we count the months until four Boeing 767-300ERW aircraft join our fleet to further grow our network."

WestJet expects its new flights to be popular with Nova Scotians visiting family and friends, Canadian visitors looking for a uniquely Scottish experience and with British guests travelling to Canada.

The Scotland-bound flight, WS 30, was numbered in honour of St. Andrew's Day, which falls on Nov. 30. WestJet's second transatlantic route is a five-hour 15-minute journey - only a wee bit longer than the airline's popular flight from Halifax to Calgary.

"Many Nova Scotians and Canadians trace their family roots back to Scotland and will be thrilled with increased ability to connect," stated the Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.  "WestJet's addition of this direct flight to Glasgow will not only strengthen economic ties with Europe, furthering opportunities for trade in concert with CETA, but will also strengthen significant ties to a country that has had a significant impact on Canada's cultural, social, artistic, military and political fabric."

"Nova Scotia and Scotland have always had close ties and this connection between Halifax and Glasgow only brings us closer," said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. "Whether it's a business traveler looking for opportunities to export our goods and services to Europe, or tourists who now have an easier way to experience Nova Scotia's hospitality, this link will help drive our economy forward."

"We are delighted that WestJet will offer direct service to Glasgow," says Joyce Carter, President and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority. "This new route connects our region to a destination that has deep-rooted cultural significance for many of us, and takes full-advantage of pent-up demand for service to this market."

Details of WestJet's new daily Glasgow service are as follows:

Introductory one-way fares are available, starting at:

*Some restrictions apply.  Please see westjet.com/glasgow for full details.

WestJet will also resume its highly successful service between St. John's, Newfoundland, and Dublin, Ireland, on May 1, 2015, six weeks earlier than in 2014.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 91 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods - even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine)
2013 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)
2013 Gold Stevie Award Best Transportation Company (American Business Awards)
2013 Chairman's Circle Award: WestJet Vacations (CPSC)
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SOURCE WestJet